'Best player ever, now there's no GOAT debate': Lionel Messi mesmerizes the football world

Newly crowned champions Argentina may have just emerged victorious in greatest-ever FIFA World Cup final in history by beating France 4-2 on penalties after scores were tied 3-3 after extra time. heliners ahe of match did t disappoint as seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi scored a brace, while 23-year-old sensation Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick.

Following a cracking nail-biting FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, here are some of reactions from football fraternity.

Football fraternity reacts as Lionel Messi & Argentina lift FIFA World Cup trophy

Lionel Messi's once-in-a-generation career may w be just complete. Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion. Messi scored two goals and n ar in a shootout as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties on Sunday to claim a third FIFA World Cup title despite Kylian Mbappé scoring first hat-trick in a final in 56 years.

w re's debate as Messi is definitively in panon of soccer's greatest ever players, alongside Pelé — a record three-time World Cup champion from Brazil — and Diego Marona, late Argentina great with whom Messi was so often compared. Messi has achieved what Marona did in 1986, dominate a World Cup for Argentina. Messi put Argentina ahe from penalty spot and played a part in Angel Di Maria's goal that me it 2-0 after 36 minutes.

Argentina were utterly dominant until Mbappé stunned m by scoring two goals in a 97-second span to take game to extra time. Messi n tapped in his second goal in 109th minute but re was still time for ar penalty from Mbappé to take thrilling game to a shootout. Gonzalo Montiel scored clinching penalty kick after Kingsley Coman h an attempt saved by Emilia Martinez and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.

(Inputs from AP)